Obituary of Marie O'Rear

On January 5, 2008, Myrtle “Marie” Boyd O’Rear joined her beloved husband, Doyle, who died in 2001. She was a wonderful person who was quick to praise and encourage but slow to criticize others. She was 96 years old. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 9, 2008, (note time change from Monday’s paper) at the funeral home with Lindy Presson and Wayne Walling officiating. Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests donations to the Church of Christ or Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web at www.gayandciha.com. Marie was very involved in scouting. She served as a Cub Scout Den Leader for four years, then switched to Girl Scouts and was a leader for 25 years. She also served as President of the Girl Scout Cardinal Council. She rarely missed a Parent Teachers’ Association Meeting, so she always knew what her children were doing in school. Born to John Franklin Boyd and Lena Bingel Boyd on January 25, 1911, on a farm near Metz, Missouri. Marie was the first of her siblings to attend high school and the only one to attend college. A country banker enabled her college attendance with a signature loan. She then taught in a one-room country school near her home and later met Doyle. Following a 6-month courtship, they married on November 8, 1934. After living in Missouri and Nebraska, Doyle’s job as a trucker brought them to Iowa City in 1943. Marie kept the financial books for their trucking operations until they retired in 1976. For 19 years of their retirement, Doyle and Marie wintered in Mesa, Arizona. Nothing pleased them more than having company, both family and friends. They relished showing off the area sites to their visitors. In 1998 health reasons caused them to remain in Iowa year round. Marie and Doyle rarely missed a Missouri family reunion, and she acted as the secretary for their reunions for many years. Marie was an active member of the Church of Christ, helping establish the local congregation in the 1940’s. Over the years, she also served the church in many roles, including treasurer, teacher, and janitor, to name a few. Her family includes two children of their own, Nelson (Teri) O’Rear of Granger, Indiana, and Lyda (Bill) Brown of Iowa City, as well as three adopted children who belonged to Marie’s sister; William O’Rear of Las Vegas, Nevada, Robert O’Rear of Swisher, and Karen (Paul) Jacob of Sherwood, Arkansas; sixteen grandchildren; forty-eight great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren; sister, Lola Arbogast of Gary, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her husband; brothers, Edward, Clarence, Dick and Karl; and sisters, Ethel Swickhammer, Lena O’Rear, and Lucille Mackey. Marie was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She will be greatly missed. Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Marie’s family and her services.